Gizhduvan
Gizhduvan is a city of folk art, artisans of Uzbekistan and an amazing kebab.
Gijduvan is probably the only region where the center of polychrome glazed ceramic has been preserved. From time immemorial, the Gizhduvan Pottery School has been famous for its unique ceramic products, which today are more valued as works of art than daily household items. The masters of Gizhduvan pass on their knowledge from generation to generation and continue the ancient customs and traditions of their ancestors. Gizhduvan ceramics is unique in its painting, which is dominated by images of birds, flowers, as well as floral and geometric patterns.
Tourists in Gizhduvan have the opportunity to see how the master works or to go through a master class and try to make a dish, jug or other vessel - independently. After baking the vessel, the guests can personally paint their “work of art” and take it with them as a souvenir that will remind them for many years about the exciting journey.
In addition to ceramics, Gizhduvan is known for its unique embroideries and skilled craftswomen. Since ancient times, embroidery was considered an exclusively feminine craft and they began to teach girls from a young age. After all, as a rule, embroidery decorated items for the home (tablecloths, bedspreads, rugs, handkerchiefs, etc.) were made as well for ceremonies that were held on significant days like weddings, childbirth, and so on. In preparation for the wedding, every young bride was supposed to embroider her wedding dress, belts, skullcaps, towels and prayer rug “joynamaz” with symbolic patterns.
An interesting fact is that craftswomen never share sketches of their works with other girls and also do not copy other people's drawings. And in the process of embroidery, women adhere to free imagination and self-expression, despite a steady set of images.
Switching to culinary art, we have to tell to the future honorable guests of Gizhduvan that an exceptional kebab is cooked here. Thanks to a special recipe, which apparently is known only to the cooks of the city, the kebab here, perhaps, the best in the whole country and it is necessary to try it!
And in the end a little bit about the history of Gizhduvan. From the tenth century, the city secured the title, as one of the most developed trade regions of Uzbekistan. The city was named in honor of Abd-al Halyk Gizhduvani (Founder of Khodzhagon tariki - Sufi brotherhood). The doctrine, which served as the foundation of the Sufi order, brought fame to both its founder and the place where he was buried - the city of Gizhduvan.